From
the Huasco Valley, southern limit of the Atacama Desert, where for ten
years the Pascua Lama mining conflict, has been developing, Argentine and Chilean citizens gathered at the binational
meeting "Causes and Common Channels: Mining the Andes without border: for our children and future generations." They declare:

The absolute repudiation Binational Mining Treaty and the type of mining that drives this instrument reflects an economic model
imposed by the major world economies, was designed by transnational
mining companies, including Barrick Gold, and deepens a destructive
pattern, tax and offender, not only of our culture, economy and nature
but of our values, the values of our societies, leaving indicates a
perverse intention excessive enrichment of few at the expense of many.
Infinite economic growth, the basis of prevailing model is not only a
ridiculous and unsustainable intent, the only thing accomplished is the
destruction of everything we know, that's why we will work tirelessly
to fight against this model. We oppose the mega chemical mining in the
Cordillera because:

First,
it undermines the largest and most valuable asset that conserve our
lands and the water. In Chile and Argentina, survived thanks to this
natural wealth, water and glaciers of the Cordillera, which wisely
watered our territories and we provide in times of drought, a situation
that has allowed our life and sustainability, we will protect any cost.

The
Mega mining chemical to which we are being exposed, is the biggest
polluter in the world for the high level of chemical waste generated:
Cyanide, mercury and arsenic, among others. We do not want to blow up
our mountains, the mountains that we all some After children's drawings.

Second,
violent our traditional ways of life, damaging the historic, cultural
and social, through various mechanisms of corruption, cooptation and
extortion have sullied the depths of our communities, dividing peoples,
communities and even families.

Finally,
if our authorities did not have dignity, willingness and commitment to
deal with the looting, we do have them and do not want our sovereignty
is restricted by a treaty that gives a territory belonging to two
sovereign countries, a transnational corporation.

We
will still be neighbors, the virtual country that have divided among us
do not, have gathered in order to continue to coordinate, we have
worked these days for that purpose and our strength lies in the truth
and conviction to defend the ridge, which historically has separated
us, and join us today. This meeting was a step that greatly strengthens
the joint work, we have agreed an action plan and further meetings to
improve our ties and to live in a mountain range without mining.